The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to healthcare providers following a noticeable increase in measles cases across the United States. As of this Thursday, the CDC confirmed that the number of measles cases reported this year has already equaled the total number of cases recorded in 2023, with 58 instances identified. A significant 93% of these cases are linked to international travel, particularly affecting children over a year old who have not received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The CDC emphasizes the importance of ensuring that children are up-to-date on their routine immunizations, including the MMR vaccine, to combat this highly contagious disease.
The advisory comes in the wake of measles outbreaks not only in the United States, where seventeen states have reported cases, but also in other countries such as Austria and the United Kingdom. The CDC advises individuals of all ages planning international travel to ensure they are current on their vaccinations. Measles, known for its high contagion level, poses a 90% infection risk to unvaccinated individuals upon exposure. Recent outbreaks in places like Florida and Philadelphia underscore the ongoing threat of the disease.
Despite measles being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, there has been a resurgence in cases, with a 27-year high in 2019 involving 1,274 cases, primarily travel-related. The disease remains a significant global health concern, with an estimated 128,000 fatalities in 2021, mostly among children, according to the World Health Organization. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, urging healthcare professionals to be vigilant and the public to adhere to vaccination recommendations.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
